Just a stone’s throw from London lies the manor house of the illustrious Phantomhive earldom and its master, one Ciel Phantomhive. Earl Phantomhive is a giant in the world of commerce, Queen Victoria’s faithful servant…and a slip of a twelve-year-old boy. Fortunately, his loyal butler, Sebastian, is ever at his side, ready to carry out the young master’s wishes. And whether Sebastian is called to save a dinner party gone awry or probe the dark secrets of London’s underbelly, there apparently is nothing Sebastian cannot do. In fact, one might even say Sebastian is too good to be true…or at least, too good to be human…

I'd imagine that most readers don't read Kuroshitsuji to drool over Sebastian. The description may seem a bit yaoi-ish, but don't be deterred if you're not into that. If you don't stay for that gorgeous hell of a butler (okay, I'll stop), you'll definitely appreciate the dark aura, fantastic characters, and the action.

Rich with plot twists, dynamic characterizations, and hefty shock factors, Black Butler enthralls with its intricate story. Two years before the current timeline, Ciel Phantomhive hires Sebastian as a butler in the mansion where Ciel lives alone, save the other servants. Ciel is twelve years old, but don't be fooled. Acutely intelligent and mature, Ciel is the most recent Earl of his family line after his predecessor passed away. Though he's only 12 years old, his age is still relevant; in later arcs, Toboso-sensei tragically elucidates the limitations of his age. Ciel is a boy of both strong loyalty and appalling cruelty. Sebastian serves to both mediate and exacerbate these traits. The two act as foils, but both are much more fleshed-out and dynamic than that. It's no surprise that they have a huge fanbase.

I could never forget the supporting cast, who are immensely powerful as well. From Meylin to Lizzie, each character has a tale behind them. Some of these have yet to be revealed, but I doubt Toboso-sensei will disappoint. I read a review calling some characters shallow; all I have to say is that nothing in this manga is exactly as it seems. If you find yourself frustrated with certain people in Kuroshitsuji, I'd advise you to keep reading. Most likely, the circumstances will change.

As said in other reviews, there are some historical inaccuracies in the Gothic setting. But this is a highly fictional work (hence the supernatural tag), so unless you're a huge Anglophile and a stickler for accuracy, the inconsistencies won't even register on your radar. 19th century England really is the perfect place for this manga. Darkness lurks-- but not just in the nighttime streets. The events and inventions of the time period feed much of the action and drive the plot fairly well.

Amongst the arcs that have already been translated, I'd have to say my favorite was the Circus Arc. If you're confused with anything that I said earlier, no other arc will so clearly demonstrate what I mean. This arc was absolutely heart-wrenching, but this was the one that did me in. I fell in love with the manga immediately afterwards (I can't believe I had the first three volumes sitting on my shelf for TWO MONTHS before I started reading.) I'll admit, I'm not too keen on every single arc; one in particular I felt dragged on for way too long. But it's worth it, I promise you that.

At the moment, I'm torn between wanting this manga to end so that I can know the ending(!!!) and hoping that Kuroshitsuji never ends. So far, an ending doesn't appear to be soon approaching-- 20 volumes and going strong. I wish chapters came out with higher frequency, but I'm thankful as is.

AND IT'S NOT BECAUSE SEBASTIEN IS HOT OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.[/b]Although he is gorgeous....

I love this story for all its darkness, struggles, and moral ambiance. Honestly, there were many times when I wondered if I would resort to doing some of the inhumane things mentioned because I actually felt like i understood the causes.

Furthermore, Ciel is the one who truly attracts me. He may be a boy, but he is a boy who went through such horror that he managed to gather the resolve to sell his soul to a demon for the sake of revenge. To me, that is one heck of a delicious human.

He also has what it takes to reach the top with the help of a demon. He is intelligent, with the cruelty of a devil. But, at times, a more humane side of him surfaces, and it tears at my heart because it makes me realize that Ciel is, in the end, still a child.

But in truth, Sebastian has a huge fanbase for a reason: He is freaking badass and I'm not exaggerating. He has that dark allure coupled with a twisted version of knight in shiny armor. Plus, he has a thing for cats. He also has a very mysteriously cynical side to him, and he often subtly ridicules Ciel affectionately whenever Ciel shows his humanity. There seems to be a part of him that makes me believe that he won't end up eating Ciel's soul.... but, I think that might just be my desperate wish.

Conclusion: The characters in Black Butler drive the story--they are what made me fall in love with this series over and over again.

I really love this manga! The art is amazing, and I have always loved gothic manga, especially set in the Victorian era. All the arcs are unique and well thought out, my personal favourite being the 'Ship Voyage' arc, which I won't spoil in case anyone hasn't read it yet! I really love most of the characters as well, especially the Undertaker and Sebastian. Although I adore fight scenes and gothic or horror elements in manga, I want comedy to be there too. In Kuroshitsuji, there is quite a lot of comedy, which I love. I think it had a relatively slow start, but when I read more I couldn't stop! Definitely worth a read!

Been reading this series since the beginning. Ciel is the perfect protagonist. Although some may think that he's too cruel or heartless, he does have his duties to perform. You can see the hint of his kindness every arc. Together with his elite team of servants, an akuma butler and his quick thinking, I'm always excited to see how he turns around the situation in every arc!

I'd say the only bad thing about this series is the wait for each chapter! It's a monthly magazine, so once you're hooked, you're in deep shit lol! Just like me! Definitely recommended!

I write this review for people like me, who judge this manga for its rumors, covers or beginning chapters. At first, I thought this manga is all about the cool, perfect, devilish and hot butler. He is too cool and perfect that makes every fangirl screams (and dies b/c of nosebleed). Well, that's quite cheap, typical and boring. I stopped around chapter 20, disappointed b/c it was like a shoujo manga with one dreamy (dark) guy and lots of flowers. BUT I was wrong. When I continue to read it again, I found out that it was more interesting. Horror, blood, death, tragedy.. it was brilliant. Ciel's sufferings, his personality are really well described. What I hate about this manga is, like everyone else, Elizabeth. (maybe b/c I'm not good with teenager girls). Furthermore, Ciel is exactly like a girl. He only thinks and lives in his own world, he doesn't have the strength like a man. (maybe Sebastian spoiled him too much, I guess ) Well, there are many things to say about Ciel's girlish personality, but I'm fine with that b/c there is a good reason. Give this manga a try, enjoy ^_^

I see that most people seem to want to plot to hurry up. I, for one, am in such rush. I watched, and enjoyed the anime, but I wish there had been more than just the main plot. Don't get me wrong, it was really good, I just wanted to see more. Both the anime and manga have the same "feel", to me, so I view the manga as more story that wasn't in the anime. I'm enjoying it going alone at the pace it is. The art is really pretty and very consistent. The characters are very easy to tell apart. Yen Press even goes as far as to write words such as colour and honour with the "u", as it would be in England, dispite the company being American. I am very pleased the such attention to detail was shown.

Yeah, I'll admit it, I started reading this in hopes of yaoi-ish themes, but that was soon forgotten by the amazing plot of this story. Screw the romance, Ciel and Sebastian are one badass duo. Ciel is a cold and calculating kid, Sebastian is...well, one hell of a butler *wink wink*.

The characters are all likable (by likable I mean the only character you'll probably dislike is Ciel's fiancee/cousin) whether they're good or bad. The story is brilliant, the twists are unpredictable, their adventures range from comical to suspenseful.

You never know what you'll get in the next chapter which made this manga surprisingly good. So don't be deceived, it's deep and dark and unpredictable and definitely worth a try.

Started out alright. But recently it just seems like the current arc will last a year or two more. Also the author is taking too much liberty with English culture and the period in which it's set.

Spoiler (mouse over to view)

The current arc (at time of comment) involves the game of cricket. I'm from India and Cricket is THE game of the nation. Even though I'm a particularly big fan of the game, I can't simply bear to watch the idiotic things being done. Cricket is not and will never be played like this. It's too much even as a manga. I give up. Guess my patience ran out. It would have been more fun if the main story progressed but alas that is just not happening any time soon.

Despite this it's not really a bad manga. Don't take my comment to seriously. After all you won't notice the problems in the story line if you don't know much about England or Cricket.

I love this manga! I really took the time to read EVERYTHING in the span of a year and I loved it. Though I have to be honest about this manga...

The plot development (Ciel's revenge) isnt really developing. We see some archs of the manga that hint about what happened to the Phantomhives before the story timeline, but it isn't enough. Some characters tend to be a bit too much to handle. Some situations flux from hilarious to serious at unexpected rates. And yet...The characters develop at a normal pace. The more you read the manga, you are faced with characters who are more than what you think. Ciel isn't just your cold-hearted, antihero brat one may think, he is multi-faceted. Elizabeth isn't your typical annoying fiancee because the more you read, the more you find out that she herself carries a burden of her own which makes her endearing. And Sebastian isn't perfect. I admit that I can scream "I love Sebby" but there are times when you get annoyed with him.

I also noticed that Yana Toboso poured her heart out into the manga. She uses the characters to voice out some of her opinions and perspectives. How ordinary people can be geniuses in their own right, how perfect people are more than what they seem, and so much more!

It is also no surprise that Yana knows her Victorian times. From characters to events to games and rituals, you can see that the author researched on it. She also has great taste in fashion and she knows her orchestra pieces!

This is Yana Toboso at her best! The art, the characters and the concept of some archs as well as the idea of selling your soul to a demon and making him you butler is just...*faints*

I love this manga though I feel mixed about it (time and time again)...

What drives a ten year old child to sell it's own soul to a demon to form a contract and choose hell instead of heaven? What happened on his 10th birthday that he even forgot how to smile? Hate and despair are his source of strengh and make Ciel Phantomhive the most complex and intriguing game maker who seeks for revenge to those who dirtied his name. His best pawn is his perfect butler Sebastian, who'll never leave his masters side and follow him until the very end.--------This manga took my manga virginity (and made me a manga-fan!) and I already have been following it for years. It is my favourite manga and I think it will always be.There are so many things I love about Kuroshitsuji: Victorian Era, Dark Atmosphere, Beautiful (MOST AMAZING) Art, Deep Plot that is storngly influenced by the British-Empire history and it's events and Fantastic Characters (esp. the main ones: Ciel and Sebastian). If you watched the Anime with it's wonderful OST and liked it, you'll LOVE the manga.